Contrary to what social media suggests, most of us care about the environment. As of early 2025, 61% of U.S. adults express concern about climate change, with 40% worrying “a great deal” and 21% “a fair amount.” We’re also willing to act. A survey in 125 countries found 69% of people would contribute at least 1% of their income to fight climate change. But it’s easy to feel lost and anxious about what we can do day-to-day to be kinder to the planet. If, like me, your eco-anxiety has you running in circles, read on for expert advice on adopting environmentally friendly habits.

Adopt Simple Energy-Saving Habits

Adding some eco-friendly routines to your daily life is simpler than most imagine. Making small, continuous changes can make a difference for the planet as well as for your own home. Begin with simple chores such as washing your clothes. Changing to cold water washing, for instance, is energy-saving and prolongs the wear of your clothes. Cold water washing is just as effective as hot, and it reduces your carbon footprint.

One spectacular option is plastic-free, small, efficient, and chemical-free laundry detergent sheets. They eliminate plastic packets of detergent, conserving waste while promoting laundry sustainability. These changes work wonderful benefits for the environment; they also provide wonderful health benefits by reducing chemical exposure in homes.

Consider altering your consumption habits as well. From using reusable bags to choosing planet-friendly foods, all of it makes a difference. Riding your bike or walking for short trips is an enormous carbon reduction. These are not changes merely for the planet—these are reasonable measures that build a better life. By incorporating these habits into your daily life, you are helping positively without sacrificing convenience. The key is to begin small and gradually build on it—every little bit counts.

Dan Steiner, Co-Founder, Good Laundry

Make Sustainable Choices in Daily Life

Start with your own habits. Small decisions add up. Bring a reusable bag. Stop buying single-use plastic bottles. Sort your recycling. These changes won’t make headlines, but they create a baseline of responsibility. When you repeat them, they become automatic. That’s where impact begins—when action turns into behavior.

Use what you already have. Most phones, laptops, and tablets don’t need replacing every year. Delaying your next upgrade reduces waste and keeps valuable materials in circulation longer. When you do replace electronics, don’t throw them out. Drop them at a certified collection point. Devices contain metals and minerals that can be reused. Keeping them out of landfills reduces both pollution and mining.

Routines matter. Opt for digital receipts. Cancel junk mail. Unplug devices when they’re not in use. Choose energy-efficient appliances. Walk or bike for short trips. If you work remotely, take the same approach—reduce printing, reuse supplies, and keep power usage low. Small shifts across many people change how systems operate. That’s what moves the needle.

In my own team, we build campaigns with less waste in mind. Fewer print runs. More accurate targeting. Cleaner data. We’re focused on impact per dollar, not volume for volume’s sake. When marketing reflects the values we expect from consumers, the message carries more weight.

You don’t need to overhaul your life. You need to pay attention. The right decision is often the simpler one. Do it once. Repeat it. Keep going.

Alec Loeb, VP of Growth Marketing, EcoATM

Recycle Electronics and Support Eco-Conscious Companies

People can incorporate eco-friendly practices into their daily routines by making small, consistent changes that reduce waste and conserve resources. Simple habits like using reusable bags, minimizing single-use plastics, and conserving water and energy at home go a long way. One impactful yet often overlooked step is properly recycling old electronics instead of letting them sit in drawers or end up in landfills. 

Many services now allow individuals to mail in unused devices, which are then responsibly recycled or refurbished for reuse, helping to reduce e-waste and extend the life of valuable materials. Not to mention the person gets extra cash to send in their electronics they have stashed in their “old tech drawer.” Choosing to support companies that prioritize sustainability in their operations also makes a meaningful difference. It’s all about being mindful and taking action, one step at a time.

Christopher Hale, CEO, SmartphonesPLUS

Create a Sustainable Garden Ecosystem

Incorporating eco-friendly practices into daily routines doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with small, consistent changes like composting food scraps, switching to organic fertilizers, using rainwater for the garden, and choosing native plants that require less water and maintenance. These small steps add up and make a big difference to your environmental footprint. For example, swapping out chemical weed killers for natural alternatives like boiling water or vinegar not only helps protect the soil and local waterways but also promotes healthier garden ecosystems.

One client I worked with wanted to reduce their water usage and reliance on synthetic products in their garden. With over 15 years of hands-on experience and formal training as a certified horticulturist, I designed a sustainable garden plan using drought-tolerant native plants, installed a rainwater harvesting system, and replaced their synthetic lawn treatments with organic compost. Within months, their water bills dropped significantly, their soil health improved, and their garden became a haven for local birds and pollinators. It was a perfect example of how practical knowledge combined with eco-conscious design can create lasting, positive outcomes for both people and the planet.

Andrew Osborne, Owner, Ozzie Mowing & Gardening

Start Small with Mindful Consumption

The best way for people to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their daily routines is to start small. There is no reason to get overwhelmed or feel like there needs to be some big change.

Start by being more mindful of what you consume. Choose reusable over single-use items, shop locally and seasonally when possible, and prioritize quality over quantity to reduce waste.

At home, simple changes like reducing energy use, minimizing water waste, and composting food scraps can make a real difference. Even reconsidering how often we buy new clothes, electronics, or packaged goods helps shift us toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

Another powerful (and often overlooked) practice is using your voice. You can support businesses and leaders who prioritize sustainability and share the small changes you’re making with your community. Collective action grows from individual choices.

Sustainability isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistently choosing better when you can.

Angela Betancourt, Founder & CEO, Betancourt Group

Design for Sustainability in Home Projects

From both a designer and contractor perspective, eco-friendly practices are no longer just a trend—they’re a responsibility, especially when I think about my granddaughters and the world we’re shaping for them. In my own projects, I make it a point to source sustainable materials, recommend energy-efficient appliances, and design with longevity in mind—because the less we have to rip out and replace, the less waste we create. Even in my daily life, I’m more intentional about unplugging things I’m not using, choosing reusable over disposable, and teaching my girls how small actions matter. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about setting an example and making changes that honor the future they’ll grow up in.

Melody Stevens, Owner, Design On A Dime Interiors

Implement Gradual Changes for Lasting Impact

One of the simplest ways to bring eco-friendly habits into your day is to start small and make them part of your normal routine without overcomplicating it. We made a conscious shift a few years ago to reduce waste by rethinking how we packaged our lighting products. Instead of layering everything in plastic, we moved to recyclable materials and worked with our suppliers to cut down on unnecessary wrapping altogether. It wasn’t some overnight change—it happened step-by-step, decision-by-decision, until it became second nature.

The same idea works at home or in daily life. Swapping out single-use items for reusable ones, setting up a simple compost bin for kitchen scraps, choosing energy-efficient lighting (something close to my heart, obviously)—it’s these everyday habits that quietly add up over time. I remember when I swapped out every bulb in my house for LEDs; at first, it felt like a small gesture, but when I got the next few electricity bills, the savings were pretty obvious. It reminded me that consistent small actions actually have a lot of weight when you stick with them.

Matt Little, Owner & Managing Director, Festoon House

Reduce Waste Through Small Daily Actions

Incorporating eco-friendly practices into daily routines doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. One simple but effective change is reducing single-use plastics. Start by switching to reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and containers. This small habit can drastically reduce waste over time.

Another change is to be mindful of energy consumption. For example, turning off lights when they’re not needed or using energy-efficient appliances can help lower your carbon footprint. If possible, try incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet, as the food industry—especially meat production—has a significant environmental impact.

And don’t forget about reducing, reusing, and recycling. Instead of throwing things away, see if they can be repurposed or donated.

These shifts might seem minor individually, but when combined, they can have a meaningful impact on both the environment and your daily life. The key is making small adjustments that stick and gradually building eco-conscious habits over time.

Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER

Reuse and Repurpose to Minimize Waste

Start small—like actually using what’s already in your house. You don’t need new “green” products every week. Reuse containers, fix what’s broken, and stop tossing stuff that still works. I keep reusable bags and cups in the car, so I don’t forget. It’s boring advice, but habits only stick if they’re easy to repeat.

Buy less, choose better. That’s the biggest shift. Whether it’s clothes, food, or tech—quality over quantity wins every time. Also, check your local community pages for donation or swap groups. Giving something a second life feels better than trashing it. And you save money while doing it.

Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly

Build Eco-Friendly Routines for Long-Term Benefits

Start small and stay consistent. Swap single-use plastics for reusable options. Use glass containers, metal straws, and cloth grocery bags. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste. Choose products with minimal or compostable wrapping. Walk or bike for short trips instead of driving. Combine errands into one trip to use less fuel. Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use. Replace old bulbs with LEDs. These decisions take seconds but reduce daily energy use.

In my home, I started by changing how I shop. I support local farmers and buy only what I know I will eat. Food waste adds up fast. Composting turned into a habit, and now my trash output has dropped by half. At work, I pushed for going paperless. Digital documents cut down on clutter and save money. Every small shift adds up when it becomes routine.

Eco-friendly living is not about perfection. It’s about patterns. Refill a water bottle instead of buying new ones. Fix clothes instead of tossing them. Choose secondhand before buying new. These aren’t sacrifices. They’re habits with long-term payoffs. I’ve watched people around me adopt one habit, then two, then more. When it becomes normal, it spreads.

Living lighter doesn’t require wealth or free time. It requires awareness and intention. If you touch it, use it, or throw it away, it’s part of the equation. Start where you are. Make one change and keep going. That’s how progress works.

Aspen Noonan, CEO, Elevate Holistics

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